" Mutt and Jeff"

Three mixed breed puppies arrived at our shelter in the beginning of May. Two were so much smaller than the other - stunted at growth, most likely from severe malnutrition. We told the owner who brought them to us, to take them out of the car one by one, so they could be thoroughly examined and evaluated.
Already we could see that the two little tikes were so scared of people, that our touch, even our voices, horrified them so. They looked extremely dehydrated, malnourished, loaded with internal parasites. But what was new? So many of them come in similar condition. What set these apart from some of the others, was their sadness, their fear, their faces old beyond their time.
I noticed that the third puppy (little black female) who looked
even more horrified than the previous two, was hanging out of the owner's wide open car window, ready to jump. I immediately begged this person to shut the window, but she refused. Then it happened.
The petrified puppy jumped out of the car and ran through the
fenced pasture into the deep forest. We desperately tried to find her with the help of several people, combing the woods. Hours later and no sight of the pup, we returned to the shelter with many mixed emotions: fear for her future, feelings of helplessness and anger toward the owner who took such poor care of these pups, let this one get away and then left without caring what will happen to her. We were hoping that the pup would find its way back to the shelter when she got hungry or started missing her two brothers. Otherwise we knew she would have little chance to survive or fend for herself in the deep woods with so many predators.
In the meantime we had to care for the remaining pups. The pups would not move, just huddled together in a far corner and
kept staring at us with these old eyes. We had to spoon feed themfor several days to make sure they ate their special medication to help rid them of worms.
~ Day 2 ~
We named the pups Mutt and Jeff. They were still afraid and everything was the same. Several volunteers spent hours hugging, and petting them. At this time we were still looking for the third pup, even putting blankets with the scent of Mutt and Jeff at the edge of the woods.
~ Day 3 ~
Still the same, Mutt and Jeff will not move in front of us, but all the food and water from several large dishes is gone. NO sight of the lost pup, but we still keep looking with help of several friends. Our hope of ever seeing her again is dwindling.
~ Day 4 ~
Miraculous progress with Mutt and Jeff. They are feeling much better, little less afraid, even tried to play a little. Our helper Lora and I got big reward. Each of us received several licks on our cheeks, best present you can get. At this time we are giving up on the third pup, fearing that the worst had happened.

Mutt and Jeff were soon happy, healthy and outgoing - ready to find good homes. We decided that it would be best for the two, to be adopted separately. Jeff was taken by very nice couple and is doing well. Mutt was adopted by our employee, has a new name and is also doing great. No matter what, we still could not forget the third one.
This shelter is a safe haven that protects these homeless, sick
and mistreated animals. It is very hard to loose even one. Months go by... spring, summer, now fall has began. Mutt and Jeff are living it up in their new good life and many more animals were saved, since their arrival the beginning of May.

Mutt and Jeff recovered


Mutt and Laura our helper who adopted him.
Jeff also got a good home

(continued in the story of "Gypsy")

 

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